You've heard it at weddings. It’s the track that plays while the bride walks down the aisle or during that tear-jerker montage in a romantic comedy. But here is the thing: if you are searching for how long will i want you lyrics, you are likely looking for a song that doesn't technically exist by that exact name.
Most people are actually thinking of "How Long Will I Love You." It's a small distinction, sure, but in the world of music history and songwriting, words matter. The confusion usually stems from the soaring chorus where the sentiment of "wanting" and "loving" gets blurred in the listener's head. Whether it’s the folk-rock stomp of The Waterboys or the delicate, piano-driven Ellie Goulding cover, the lyrics hit a universal nerve. They tap into that desperate, hopeful human need for permanence in a world that feels increasingly temporary.
The Original Vision: Mike Scott and The Waterboys
Before Ellie Goulding made it a global pop phenomenon, "How Long Will I Love You" was a deep cut on The Waterboys' 1990 album, Room to Roam. Mike Scott, the primary songwriter and creative force behind the band, wrote it during a period where he was pivoting away from the "Big Music" sound of the mid-80s toward something more grounded, acoustic, and Celtic-influenced.
The lyrics are incredibly simple. That’s the secret sauce. Scott didn't use flowery metaphors or complex allegories. He used time. He used the stars. He used the seasons.
As long as stars are above you / And longer if I can.
It’s a bold claim. It's almost cocky in its devotion. When Scott sings it, there is a certain ruggedness to it. It’s not just a sweet sentiment; it’s a vow. If you look at the how long will i want you lyrics through the lens of the original 1990 recording, you notice the tempo is faster than the versions we hear on the radio today. It’s a celebration, not a dirge.
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Why the Lyrics Changed the Way We Watch Movies
The song saw a massive resurgence thanks to the 2013 Richard Curtis film About Time. If you haven’t seen it, bring tissues. The movie deals with time travel, father-son relationships, and the mundane beauty of everyday life. The song is the heartbeat of the film.
There are actually two versions used in the movie context. One is the Ellie Goulding cover, which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and the other is a folkier version by Jon Boden, Sam Sweeney, and Ben Coleman.
The Goulding version is what most people are humming when they type how long will i want you lyrics into a search engine. She stripped away the fiddle and the drums, leaving just a piano and her breathy, ethereal vocals. This change in arrangement shifted the "vibe" of the lyrics entirely. It turned a folk anthem into a vulnerable confession. When she sings "As long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand," it feels like a quiet promise made in the middle of the night, rather than a shout from a mountaintop.
Breaking Down the Verse Structure
Let’s look at why these lyrics are so effective from a technical songwriting perspective.
The song follows a very standard A-B structure, but it lacks a traditional "bridge" that takes you to a different emotional place. Instead, it’s a repetitive build.
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- The Scope of Time: The lyrics move from the celestial (stars) to the earthly (seasons) to the personal (the "furrow" on a brow).
- The Element of Hyperbole: The line "And longer if I can" is scientifically impossible, obviously. But emotionally? It's exactly what someone in love wants to hear. It suggests a devotion that outlasts the physical universe.
- The Physicality of Aging: Most love songs focus on the "now"—the beauty, the passion, the heat. This song acknowledges "how long will i want you" by mentioning the "furrow" on the brow. It’s an admission that the person will get old, they will get wrinkled, and the love will remain.
Common Misheard Lyrics and Errors
People get lyrics wrong all the time. It’s a phenomenon called a "mondegreen." With this specific track, people often swap "want" for "love" because the word "want" carries a more visceral, immediate desire.
Another common mistake is the line about the "furrow." Many listeners hear it as "as long as I follow you," which actually makes a weird kind of sense in a stalker-ish way, but the real lyric is "as long as there is a furrow in your brow." A furrow is a wrinkle. It’s a reference to worry and age. Mike Scott is basically saying, "I will love you even when you are stressed out and old." Honestly, that's much more romantic than just following someone around.
Then there is the "sea and the sand" line. Because Goulding’s pronunciation is quite stylistic, some people hear "as long as the sun is bound to wash upon the sand," which doesn't make any sense if you think about it for more than two seconds. But in the heat of a karaoke session or a wedding dance, nobody is checking the physics.
The Cultural Impact of the Goulding Cover
Ellie Goulding’s 2013 version didn't just top charts; it became a staple of the "Children in Need" charity campaign in the UK. This gave the lyrics a secondary meaning. Suddenly, it wasn't just about romantic love between two partners. It became about the love for a child, or the collective love of a community supporting those in need.
This is the mark of a truly great set of lyrics. They are "liquid." They take the shape of whatever container you put them in.
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If you're a parent, the lyrics are about watching your child grow.
If you're a grieving spouse, they are a tribute to a memory.
If you're a teenager in love for the first time, they are a manifesto.
Key Facts About the Song’s History
- Release Date: The original version came out in 1990.
- The Cover Surge: Goulding’s version was released on November 10, 2013.
- Songwriter: Solely credited to Mike Scott. He has stated in interviews that the song was written quickly, almost as if it were "given" to him.
- Chart Performance: While the original didn't make a huge dent in the US charts, the Goulding version became a Top 40 hit in over ten countries.
How to Correctly Use These Lyrics for Events
If you are planning to use "How Long Will I Love You" (or as you might call it, the how long will i want you lyrics) for a wedding or a funeral, there are a few things to consider regarding the arrangement.
- The Tempo Factor: If you use the Waterboys' version, you’re going to have a faster, more upbeat ceremony. It’s great for a recessional (walking out).
- The Piano Factor: If you want the "tear-jerker" moment, you go with the Goulding version or a live pianist.
- The Lyric Print: If you are printing the lyrics on a program, make sure you use the Mike Scott original text. It’s the "purest" version of the poem.
Interestingly, there is a "lost" verse that sometimes gets omitted in shorter radio edits. It talks about the "howling wind." In some live performances, Scott adds an extra layer of grit to this part, reminding the listener that love isn't just about the sunny days; it’s about surviving the storms together.
The Technical Brilliance of Simplicity
We live in an era of complex songwriting. Pop stars often have twelve co-writers on a single track. "How Long Will I Love You" stands in stark contrast. It feels like a nursery rhyme for adults.
There are no bridges, no complex chord modulations, and no "word salad" lyrics. It’s a testament to the idea that if you have one strong, honest sentiment, you don't need to dress it up.
When people search for how long will i want you lyrics, they are searching for a way to express a feeling that is hard to put into words. They want to tell someone that their devotion isn't going anywhere. Whether you use the word "want" or "love," the intention is the same: the desire for an infinite "now."
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
- Listen to the original first. Go find Room to Roam by The Waterboys. It’s a brilliant album that captures a very specific moment in British and Irish music history.
- Check the official sheet music. If you’re a musician, don't just rely on "tabs" online. Many of them get the chord inversions wrong. The song is usually played in the key of C Major (for Goulding) or D Major (for the original), making it very accessible for beginners.
- Watch "About Time." To truly understand the emotional weight of these lyrics, you have to see them paired with the film's climax. It changes the way you hear the song forever.
- Verify your sources. When searching for lyrics, always cross-reference with the songwriter's official site or a verified database like Genius to ensure you aren't getting the "want" and "love" mixed up in a professional setting, like a wedding program or a tattoo.
The song is a rare gem that has survived multiple decades and genre shifts. It’s simple, it’s honest, and it’s arguably one of the best love songs written in the last forty years. Even if you get the title slightly wrong, the feeling remains unmistakable.